Friday's Hunt...#26!...

When I decided to join with Teresa at Eden Hills for Friday's Hunt each week, I didn't expect the time to go by so fast...here we are at week 26 already!  I missed two weeks, but tried to catch up with at least a photo for the letter from the week when I did my next post.

Here we go with "the letter Z"...

This is the inside of one of the big doors upstairs in the barn. Can you see the Z? You can see that some repairs have been done to the door, and only the outside's been painted...

"Week's favorite"...

My purple cone flowers opened this week!  I moved them to the bed close to the house last summer when I got rid of my big perennial bed, and they have grown in leaps and bounds!  They're probably three feet high, and look so much healthier and happier than they did ever before.  Maybe it's that compost I added to the soil?  I have a lot of favorite flowers, and this is definitely one of them...

"Today"...

This prompt is wide open!

This is looking west over the fields here at home today, from up on the barn hill.  The corn and beans were planted on May 26th and 27th.  They came up quickly, and with the rains we've had lately, they should continue growing well. There's a line of white ag bags out along the water way on the left side of the picture.  Some are first cutting alfalfa and some are rye grass...

I also tried something new today...

Home made pesto, with basil from the garden...

I've been wanting to try it, and finally got around to it.  I usually plant basil in pots on the porch, but this time I had an extra plant that I put in the garden. Apparently it's happier there, and has grown huge in a short amount of time...much bigger than the ones on my porch!

I hope you've enjoyed the Friday's Hunt posts.  It's been fun to participate!

Spring Cleaning...

Well hello spring! We're so glad you're finally here... to stay!

Every day there's something more to do that seems so important, as I'm sure you can identify with! 

Today I cleaned out the chicken pen...

I had kind of forgotten how dusty chicken litter is. Ugh. Since I only have twelve chickens, it didn't take long. I think I counted seven wheelbarrow loads, and they weren't very heavy, which was nice...

Over the last couple of days, I've also been working on cleaning up my compost bins and reinforcing them, so the timing was perfect. I finally emptied the one side, pulled the pallets out, straightened them, and made them more solid by screwing some wood across the top to hold them together. (Ignore the very crooked center pallet. It's rotten on the bottom third, and I'll replace it when we empty another one)

The chicken litter went in the empty half, to start a new batch of compost. The pile on the right will soon be "finished", and if I keep turning it, it won't be long until I'll be able to use it in either my garden or perennial bed...

Here's what I did with the batch that came out of the left side...

This flower bed doesn't have the greatest soil. It's kind of dry and powdery, which is totally different than the big bed that I got rid of last summer. That one had tremendous soil and grew giant perennials! I'm trying to build up this one by using mushroom soil and now compost. It might never be great, but every little bit helps!

We're definitely in full swing here...how about you?

What's Growing...Or Not...

There are a lot of things growing here this time of year...

My garden is much smaller this summer, and I'm trying something that I've wanted to for a while  now.  Last fall's leaves were piled thickly on the garden, and I just left them lay without rototilling them in this spring.  They're helping to keep moisture in the soil, and weeds at bay...or at least that's the idea.  Our Amish neighbor brought me a couple of wagon loads of horse manure which was spread on top of the leaves a few weeks ago. I'm hoping the extra layer will not only fertilize my garden, but will also help with weed control.  I've heard this referred to as lasagna gardening.  I'll probably add some grass clippings this summer and more leaves in the fall.  While I'm not following the instructions to a T, I'm using the basic concept.  Tilling the soil dries it out and turns over weed seeds.  It's also more work.  We'll see how it works this summer!

We'll be eating fresh zucchini in just a few days!  Beware, kids!

Jim put in a grape arbor this spring.  The large vine in the foreground is one that we transplanted from a neighbor who didn't want it any more...

I'd say it's quite happy here...

The perennials that I transplanted from my big bed to my small one are finally taking off.

This cone flower is one of my favorites...

The number of round bales is growing too.  Jim baled spring seeded alfalfa on Saturday, adding to the row.  The NS on the bales stands for "new seeding"...

These little twins were born last night in the outside pen.  There's a bull and a heifer, so they'll both go to market later this week.  (when one of the twins is a bull and one a heifer, the heifer is often sterile)...

And as for what's not growing...

My big, old perennial bed is well on it's way into a distant memory.  It's been sprayed, mowed off, and in a week or so a skid loader will pull out the old root balls, level off some fill dirt, and we'll seed grass up to the edge of the shrubs.  I'm eager to have it finished!

It was sad to make the decision to get rid of the big perennial bed, but now that it's gone, I don't miss it!  All that work...and I'm also enjoying the smaller vegetable garden.  I'm finding that I have the energy (both physically and mentally) to take care of my smaller beds much better, now that the work load has diminished!  Hind sight is always 20/20, right?

We could still use some more rain!  Last night we were at the very edge of a thunderstorm that dumped almost an inch of rain just a mile or so south of us.  We got about .10", which settled the dust, but we could sure use more!

Saying "Goodbye" To My Friends...

It's been good...

It's been fun...

It's been work...

And now it's time to say "goodbye" to some of my friends.  Not my blogger friends, but these friends...

Does it mean I'm getting older?  More tired?  Tired of all the weeding and mulching (that I'm not supposed to be doing?)

Yes.  All of the above.

It's one of the hardest things I've ever done, but it's time.

I posted on face book this week, that friends are welcome to come and dig whatever perennials they want from this bed, and give them a new home.  A lot of the perennials were given to me by ____.  Numerous friends.  It's fun to walk through and remember where things came from!  I'm transplanting some of my favorites into a smaller bed near the house.

After friends have picked through, we'll try to dig out the rest and sell them along the road.

If you live close, give me a call or a face book message, and come find some new perennials for your beds!

Planning Ahead...

I never, ever thought I'd be considering this...at least not for a very long time, but this is what I'm thinking...

You may remember seeing pictures of my big perennial border.  This was taken earlier this spring.  I love the way it looks when everything has turned green, the mulch is fresh, and the weeds are virtually non-existent!

Some of my favorites, in full bloom...

It's been an eye-opening summer.

I'm getting "too old" for all the work that it takes...beautiful as it may be. I've had some very, very kind friends and family who have come and cared for my garden and perennials this late summer and fall...and I'm very thankful for them.  However, I need to make some changes in the expectations that I put on myself. The thought of spreading six to eight scoops of mulch next spring seems overwhelming, if not impossible.  

We'll see...maybe I'll have a huge perennial giveaway in the spring.  Put in your orders!

Good Fences #10...

I've always admired the white fence that runs around the meadow here on the farm.

When we moved here twenty (!!) years ago, it was a pretty wooden fence, but time took it's toll. It was already an old fence, and after about fifteen years of painting and repair, it was time to replace it.  We opted for PVC instead of wood.  Not our first choice, but the maintenance is next to nothing, and from a distance you can't tell much difference. More importantly, it keeps the cows where they belong!

A couple of weeks ago I shared a picture of my iris and rose border along the fence.  There was no color yet, but at least the weeds were pulled.  Now, finally, it's been mulched and the iris are beginning to bloom. The hard winter really took it's toll on both the roses and iris.  The iris are sparse, and the roses struggling, but at least we have some color...

Here's what it looked like in 2011 and in 2012. The colors were much more vibrant!

This is my perennial border along the north side of the garden.  I'm almost finished mulching, finally.  Why, oh why did I plant so many flowers?!  I was young then.  There's that white fence in the background...

And last but not least, here's one just for fun.  I found Gato lounging under the peonies that are about to bloom.  He's actually babysitting his niece, who hides out under the shed, behind the fence...

Oh, the life of a cat.

For more Good Fences, click here.

A Walk In the Rain...

I just couldn't help it.

It started raining mid-afternoon today.  The mowing and trimming were finished just in time, and I was "stuck" inside, looking at the flowers out the kitchen window through a light drizzle.  Did you ever notice how the flowers have a brighter, more vibrant color during a light rain?  Everything looked so happy, getting a bath.  (Everything except for the kitties, that is.  They found their way inside...with a little help from ??... and curled up in a box on top of a warm, fuzzy blanket.)

Anyway...tonight after supper as I made my way through the rain to the compost pile with a bowl full of scraps, I took my camera along for the walk. Here are a few of my favorites...

Dr. Ruppel Clematis

Hydrangea...almost blooming!

Red Hot Poker

What kind of flower is this?

I know...that last one is a bit of a stretch.  Surely, not a flower, but they looked happy too!

Have you taken a walk lately in the rain?

Random Five Friday...

I'm having fun with the Random Five Friday posts...

Some days or weeks, especially right now, it's hard to find the time to sit down and write a complete post about one event, so putting several things together all in one post is just right!

Life's been pretty busy around here the past few weeks, as I'm sure it is for most of you.  This beautiful spring weather has made everyone here...including the cows...happy.  They're spending most of the day outside grazing, and are much more content.  We've had wonderful temps, and low humidity (yay!) and just enough rain to (hopefully) pop the corn up quickly, and to make the grass grow like crazy!

1.  I don't like thunderstorms.  Never did.  Probably never will.

Here's what the sky looked like just after milking time tonight...

It just started raining a few minutes ago, and I saw a little lightning, and just heard some thunder, but I don't think it will be too bad.

2.  We've been mowing the yard twice per week of late.  We put some "Weed and Feed" on it a couple of weeks ago, and does that stuff ever work!  If I hadn't mowed today, I think Jim might have had to use the haybine, it was that thick!

3.  Both kids are finishing up their track and field seasons this week.  They both run distance, and each got a new PR (personal record) in the 1600m this spring.  Eric ran a 4:49.9, and Jenna a 5:59.  We're proud of their accomplishments!

4.  I'm soon finished with my mulching for the spring, and it feels so good!  A few weeks ago, when I looked at the weeds that continued to grow all winter long in the mild temps and damp winter we had, I thought I would never get to this point!  This is my favorite spring perennial bed.  It's not yet in full bloom, but it's getting there...

5.  Jim started mowing first cutting of alfalfa hay already this evening!  He just called to have someone come pick him up, as it's now dark and the storm is rolling in.

I hope you enjoy your weekend!

Random Five Friday...

It's been a busy week...lots is happening at home and on the farm.  With the beautiful...gorgeous...perfect weather we've been having, there just aren't enough daylight hours in each day!

1. Peanut's kitties are growing fast, and getting so playful!  She moved them from the fodder mow, outside to the shed.  They live underneath, play in the weeds behind it, and come running bouncing when we call "here kitty, kitty, kitty".  This is the home she chose for them, and they seem quite healthy and happy!  There are four males and two females.  We've told the kids we will keep two, and the rest are going to a good home next week...

2.  Today is the day Jim will bale his rye grass.  It was mowed on Tuesday afternoon, he's finishing up raking right now, and the round baler will begin anytime!  I wonder how many bales it will make?

3.  My garden is slowly taking shape for the season.  The onions, radishes and potatoes are up...and on the far left lies the string been packet, at the end of the first row I planted a few days ago...

The strawberry blossoms are showing off!  I sure hope we don't get a freeze...this will be the first year picking off of this new patch, and I'm hoping for a bumper crop...

4.  The dogs are in their glory this time of year...they follow me everywhere, and lay at my feet no matter what I'm doing.  If I'm planting in the garden, they lay in the rows... if I'm feeding calves, they lay beside the calf hutches...if I'm mulching, they lay in the flowers.  Here's Snickers, enjoying the sunshine as I fed calves this morning...

5.  My perennials are coming to life!  I have been given small pieces of many different plants over the years, and have had fun sharing with others as well.  (That's what I like so much about perennials!)  I think of my friends when they bloom.

The early blooming Iris came from Brenda...the Fern Leaf Peony came from Edith...

The Forget Me Nots came from Betty, the Lamium came from Carolyn, and I don't remember where the Bleeding Heart came from...

This isn't blooming yet, but the Lily Of the Valley growing fast.  It can become invasive, but I'll forgive it, because I love it's story so much!  This particular plant came to me at the end of a long family trail.  It originally came from my Great Grandma Herr...to my Grandma Herr...to my Aunt Alice from Colorado... to my Mom... and then to me!

What fun!

I hope you're enjoying your Friday!

I'm joining up with Random Five Friday again this week.

Treasure in the Garden...

Spring has sprung...it's closing in on 80 degrees this afternoon!  Wow!  What a difference just a couple of days make.

I have been outside most of the day today...trying to make some order out of the chaos which is my perennial bed.  Sorry, no pictures.  It's too pathetic!

Every year about this time, I wonder why I didn't clean off the debris from last year's flowers in the fall.  However, once again, just like every other year, I was reminded of why I waited.

Do you know what this is?

This is one of more than a dozen (at last count) Praying Mantis sacs that I found clinging to last year's debris. If I would have cut off the flowers last fall, I would never have seen them, and they would have been discarded.  That would have been sad.

I saved the sacs that I found, attached to their twigs, and tucked them safely away inside of some bushes and tall grasses that won't be disturbed.

What I find especially fun about finding these treasures, is remembering how the Praying Mantis found their way into my perennial bed.  Eight years ago, when Eric was in second grade, I helped in his classroom every week.  His teacher, Mrs. Bauman, had lots of fun things for her students to do, including terrariums to tend to.  In one of them, she had a Praying Mantis sac.  When the babies hatched, she sent me home with a baggie full of the tiny insects, and I let them loose in my garden.  The rest is history!  Every spring, I look forward to finding their eggs sacs, and though they're great at hiding, later in the summer, I occasionally see one that has reached adulthood.

You can read about the Praying Mantis here.  They're wonderful insects to have in your garden!

Sometimes I Think I'm a Little Crazy...

When we moved to the farm 18 years ago, I decided that I wanted to grow some perennials.  Did I go about it in a reasonable fashion?  Nope!

I was inspired by my Aunt Joanne, who has a beautiful perennial border along the edge of her garden...I started collecting plants...I got numerous pieces of favorites from friends' gardens, or at perennial swaps.  Also, Jim's cousin has a greenhouse, and my car would just automatically turn in whenever I drove past...I had no control over it!

Over the past number of years, the perennial bed has grown.  And grown.  So has the work load.

About two weeks ago, I started to clean up the border.  There were tons of little annoying weeds, some dead wood from last fall, and the edge of the border just kind of merged with the yard.  I worked up the soil with my digger and edged along the yard...

 Then this week I made the first of several treks to a local farm that sells mulch by the cubic yard.  I do it the "lazy" way.  They would deliver the 8 or 9 yards that I need, but then I'd have to shovel it twice...once off the pile into my cart, and again onto the garden. I prefer to load it on the back of the truck, and move the truck around as I need to.  This saves me a lot of time and sore muscles!

 I use their mushroom mulch.  I like this so much better than shredded bark mulch...it's much better for the soil...and it's much less expensive.  I've been told that in some areas it's more expensive, but since we live relatively close to mushroom farms here in southeastern Pennsylvania, it's readily available, and about half the price of bark mulch!

Here's part of the finished border.  There's still a row of shrubs to the right, between the border and the garden that I need to do something about...the jury's still out on what I mulch that with.  I had originally used chopped up branches from when we had our trees trimmed a few years ago, but that has since disappeared...

Iris don't like to be mulched, but roses do, so I pile it up around the rose bushes, and keep it back several inches from the Iris plants...

I started a new patch of strawberries this spring from my neighbor's runners, and I mulched them heavily...

Several years after I started the perennial border by the garden, we pulled out a bunch of yew bushes around the house.   Of course I had to fill in that area with perennials as well!  This bed will need to wait until next week for mulch.  I ran out of steam, and daylight today...

It's a satisfying feeling to be almost finished.  This time of year it looks so happy...

But just wait until mid summer when it's steaming hot and humid, and the weeds need to be tended to.  All that mulch helps, but unfortunately isn't a sure fix for the whole season!

Sometimes I think I'm a little crazy...why did I plant so many flowers!  The whole spring cleanup seems to be a bigger job every year.  I remember some years, I would mulch all day long, and still be going strong by evening.  This year, I did two scoops each day and called it quits.  I guess it was due in part to the fact that I'm fighting off a cold.

Yep, that must be it.

It couldn't be that I'm just getting old!